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May 11th, 2023

Minutes from the May 11th, 2023 Regular Board Meeting

The meeting of the Lake of the Woods Soil and Water Conservation District was held in the Boardroom of the County Government Center.  

The meeting was called to order by Monica Dohmen at 5:00 p.m.

Members present: Monica Dohmen, John Sonstegard, Roger Krause, Frank Sindelir

Members absent: Nancy Dunnell

Others present: Land and Water Planning Director, Josh Stromlund; Resource Conservationist, Mike Hirst; Resource Conservationist, Corryn Trask; NRCS Resource Conservationist, Michael Steinhauer

A motion was made by Krause to approve the agenda.  The motion was seconded by Sindelir. 
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried

A motion was made by Sindelir to approve the April 13, 2023 minutes.  The motion was seconded by Sonstegard.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried

The April 2023 Treasurer’s Report was reviewed.  

A motion was made by Sindelir to approve the bills as listed on the agenda.  The motion was seconded by Krause. 
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried

Old Business – none

Special Reports

NRCS partner updates – Michael Steinhauer, Resource Conservationist – see attachment to the May 11th, 2023 agenda for a copy of Steinhauer’s report. 

New Business

Authorize Goos Forest Stewardship Plan cost share contract  
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Sonstegard, to authorize the Goos Forest Stewardship Plan cost share contract for 74.2 acres at a rate of $300 base payment plus $6.50 per planned acre.  The contract end date is one year from approval. 

Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried

Authorize printing costs for Rainy-Rapid plan    

A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Krause, to authorize printing costs from Quote #27774 from Arrow Printing for the Rainy-Rapid plan. 
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried

Fee for Service Work Order with Conservation Corps 

A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sindelir, to approve the Fee for Service Work Order with the Conservation Corps of MN for approximately 1 week of buckthorn removal services.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried

Karvakko Proposal for Conservation Engineering Services  
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sindelir, to approve the Karvakko on-call proposal for conservation engineering services. 
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried
  

Authorize Load Monitoring contract change order 
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize the Load Monitoring contract change order to move $682.45 from equipment and supplies to mileage and shipping. 
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried

Replenish petty cash  
A motion was made  by Krause, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize $61.14 to replenish the petty cash fund.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried

Keep It Clean donation  
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sindelir, to accept a donation from Sporting Journal Radio of $360 for the Keep it Clean Program.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried

Landowner Fee for Service policy  
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Sindelir, to repeal the following SWCD Policies due to the discontinuation of the JPB engineering program: NCMNJPB Services – District Cooperator’s Agreement and NCMNJPB Survey/Engineering Fee Collection.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried

Repeal Water Plan Committee per diem   

A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sindelir, to repeal the SWCD Water Plan Committee per diems policy due to the discontinuation of the Water Plan Committee.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried
 
Pine Island study 

A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Sonstegard, to pledge $22,500 for the Pine Island study.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried   

Recognition of State holidays
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Sindelir, to amend the SWCD employee policy to include language about recognizing State holidays and to also recognize Juneteenth, Minnesota’s newest state holiday, beginning in 2023.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried
  

Summer intern position
Options for summer assistance were discussed by the board.  No action was taken.

Training and Travel Requests – none

Staff Reportsthe board reviewed staff reports as presented with the agenda.  

Committee Reports  – none

General Information and Discussion

Well sealing contract for services – staff presented information on current actions taken by the SWCD to help streamline well sealing projects and encourage well sealing in the county.

Local Work Group – the Local Workgroup will meet at 4:30 in the Boardroom of the County Government Center prior to the June 8th meeting.  A quorum of SWCD board members may be present but no official actions will be taken. 

Call for Resolutions – SWCD resolutions are due to the Area by the June 23rd meeting. 

Legislative Action Alert
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize Stromlund to utilize the Crow Wing SWCD example to draft legislative action alerts in support of dedicated SWCD funding from the general fund.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried
  

The next regular board meeting has been set for June 8th, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the County Government Center.  

Adjourn: Sonstegard Seconded: Krause 

Meeting adjournment time: 7:45 p.m. 

Following the meeting, the board took a tour of the Tree Program building.  

Secretary:_________________________________ Date:_____________________